Arturo Vidal, being greeted by Chile's president Michelle Bachelet, has become a hot property since the World Cup. Photograph: Alex Ibanez/AFP/Getty Images

Arturo Vidal will not be joining Manchester United according to Giuseppe Marotta, the Juventus chief executive officer, who has stated that the Chilean is “not for sale” and is content at the club.

The move from Marotta to clarify the midfielder’s position would seem to confirm Vidal will remain at Juventus.

“Vidal is not for sale,” said Marotta. “He is one of the most important players in the squad. He is happy to be here. Many things have been written. We’ve never put him up for sale. Important clubs have asked after him, but we have never sat down to talk. The player decides and yesterday Vidal showed that he is happy to continue with us.”

As Vidal was a target of the former manager, David Moyes, he remained on the list retained by United for Louis van Gaal, his successor, to consider. However, the Dutchman recently informed the club executive that he was not currently interested in him.